Automatic windshield washer reservoir filling and mixing means

ABSTRACT

Automatic windshield washer means for a vehicle of the type having a reservoir and spray nozzles. Means are provided to collect rain water and car wash water from the outer surface of said vehicle and means to feed said collected water to said reservoir. Control valve means are connected to said reservoir and said collecting means. The valve means has means to trap sediment and add cleaning agents to the collected water.

[22] Filed:

United States Patent 1 Somer AUTOMATIC WINDSHIELD WASHER I RESERVOIRFILLING AND MIXING MEANS [76] Inventor: Albert S omer, 124 North 7thStreet,

New Hyde Park, NY. 11040 Nov. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 200,887

[52] U.S. Cl. 239/284, 239/310 [51] Int. Cl. B605 1/50 [58] Field ofSearch 239/310, 304, 284

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,770,017 11/1956 Oishei etal 239/284 2,701,897 2/1955 Leming Handeland 239/310 x [111 3,738,575June 12, 1973 Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. AssistantExaminer-John J. Love Attorney-James P. Malone 57 ABSTRACT Automaticwindshield washer means for a vehicle of the type having a reservoir andspray nozzles. Means are provided to collect rain water and car washwater from the outer surface of said vehicle and means to feed saidcollected water to said reservoir. Control valve means are connected tosaid reservoir and said collecting means. The valve means has means totrap sediment and add cleaning agents to the collected water.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures Patented June 12, 1973 FIG I FIG 2 INVENTOR.

ALBERT SOMMER AUTOMATIC WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR FILLING AND MIXINGMEANS The invention relates to windshield washer means with automaticrefilling of fluid.

The present invention comprises a collecting trough which is securedunder the edge of the hood. This trough is in turn connected with a tubewhich is connected to a control device which is attached to thereservoir body. I

The control means has several openings for passage of aqueous fluids andseveral chambers where mixing of fluids with concentrates can beaccomplished. A float valve and ball check valve are provided so thefluids can be controlled and diverted. A mixing chamber contains fluidsoluble concentrate, such as a cleaning fluid. The float valve closes aball check when the proper level in the reservoir is obtained to divertexcessive incoming fluids so as to bypass the mixing chamber and preventwasting of concentrates.

Accordingly,the principal object of the invention is to provide new andimproved automatic windshield washer means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved automaticwindshield washer means with automatic-filling from the outer surfacesof the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved automaticwindshield washer means with automatic filling from the outer surfaceswith mixing valve means to remove sediments from the water and addcleaning solution.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate manual reservoirfilling.

Another object is to provide an improved method of filling thereservoir.

Another object is to automatically maintain a full reservoir.

Another object is to automatically mix rain and wash water fluid withsoluble concentrate.

Another object is to encourage the use of the windshield cleaningapparatus and promote safer driving conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved meanswith automatic windshield washer means of the type having a reservoirand spray nozzle for an automobile comprising means to collect rainwater and car wash water from the hood of the car, means to feed saidcollected water to said reservoir, and control valve means conected tosaid reservoir and said trough, said valve means having means to trapsediment and add cleaning agents.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specifications and drawings of which,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the control and valve means.

Referring to the drawings, the invention provides an automatic system sothat it is not necessary to fill the reservoir with the windshield wiperfluid. Referring to I FIG. 1, a trough T is mounted under the hood edgeto collect rain water and car wash water. The trough fills the reservoirR, which is otherwise conventional, through the mixing and valveassembly C. The rest of the system is conventional with the washingfluid being fed over the tubing X to the extending spray nozzles Y andZ, which splash the cleaning fluid onto thewindshield. The control andvalve assembly C traps sediments and also adds a cleaning solvent, suchas ammonia. Nozzles Y and Z have conventional valve controls not shown.

Fluids such as rain will be caught in the collecting trough T, thendirected into the rectangular control assembly C, which fits on top ofconventional reservoir R. This fluid goes into the sediment trap 3, FIG.2. When low fluid level exists, the valve float 5, will be down thusopening the check valve ball 9, allowing fluids to pass through valveopening 7, into mixing chamber 2, which shall contain a solubleconcentrate such as a cleaning agent, to mix with the aqueous fluids.When the fluid rises to a height above the concentrate retainer wall 12,it then passes through removable filter F into passageway 11 and intothe neck 14, which is screwed into reservoir R. Float valve heightcontrol 17 will not allow float valve to drop any lower than this depththereby maintaining proper operating level.

Ball check valve seat 8 operates with stainless steel ball 9. Floatvalve guide 10 allows proper float valve 5 movement. Overflow port 15,will release excess fluids when reservoir is at upper level.

All parts may be plastic molded except ball check 9 which is preferablystainless steel. The reservoir and its output means are conventional.The invention is illustrated in an automobile but may be used on othervehi-. cles, such as boats, airplanes, trucks or other apparatus. Thecontrol means also has utility in chemical processing apparatus.

I claim:

1. In automatic windshield washer means of the type having a reservoirand spray nozzles for a vehicle,

means to collect rain water and wash water from the outer surface ofsaid vehicle,

means to feed said collected water to said reservoir,

and

control means connected to said reservoir and said collecting means,

said control means having first chamber means to trap sediment from saidwater,

and second chamber means to add additional agents to said water,

a valve connected between said first and second chamber means,

a float mounted in said reservoir,

said valve being connected to said float,

said valve being operated by said float to close said mixing chamber toprevent wasting of said additional agents. 7

1. In automatic windshield washer means of the type having a reservoirand spray nozzles for a vehicle, means to collect rain water and washwater from the outer surface of said vehicle, means to feed saidcollected water to said reservoir, and control means connected to saidreservoir and said collecting means, said control means having firstchamber means to trap sediment from said water, and second chamber meansto add additional agents to said water, a valve connected between saidfirst and second chamber means, a float mounted in said reservoir, saidvalve being connected to said float, said valve being operated by saidfloat to close said mixing chamber to prevent wasting of said additionalagents.